Alberta Doctors Advocate for Balanced Public-Private Surgery Model

Alberta’s recent initiative to incorporate private delivery within its publicly funded health care system has sparked significant discussion among health professionals. A group of physicians from Alberta, with extensive experience in the public health sector, is advocating for the proposed changes, emphasizing that they could enhance access to timely, high-quality medical care.

The conversation surrounding health system reform must recognize the inherent complexities of health care. Comparisons across different countries should be made with caution. Effective health systems are characterized by transparent inquiry and thoughtful design, ensuring that access is broadened without providing undue advantages to those who can afford to pay. This ensures the protection of vulnerable patient populations.

Alberta has a chance to engage in this discussion with clarity and fairness. While Canadians hold their public health system in high regard, it requires ongoing protection and improvement. Long wait times and restricted access to surgical procedures have compelled many patients to seek options outside of their home province or even the country.

The reality is that most of these patients are not affluent individuals seeking convenience; they are working Albertans facing debilitating pain. For example, a roofer may be told he must wait two years for a hernia repair, while an oilfield worker or farmer with chronic back pain may face an extensive wait for a spinal procedure. These individuals, including tradespeople and small business owners, do not have the luxury of allowing their health to deteriorate. They pursue alternatives not out of choice, but due to the urgent need for care essential for their livelihoods and quality of life.

National data reveals the extent of this issue. Between 2017 and 2021, Canadians spent more than $2 billion on medical tourism. Last year alone, approximately 24,000 patients sought elective treatment abroad, with an estimated 40 percent originating from Alberta. Patients who travel for care encounter significant challenges, including the costs associated with flights and accommodations, lack of local support, incomplete medical records, and fragmented follow-up care.

Physicians in Alberta are also experiencing similar pressures. Many surgeons in the province report having fewer than four operating-room days each month, limiting their ability to serve patients. Some have resorted to providing private care in other provinces, while others refer patients elsewhere or suggest they seek surgery abroad. A small number of physicians have even exited the public system altogether.

These trends have detrimental effects on local healthcare availability and clinical capacity. The consequences of parallel healthcare systems are already evident. When patients leave for surgery, the public system is left to manage follow-up care without being involved in the original treatment. Furthermore, when nurses transition into travel roles or physicians split their time across jurisdictions, local access to care diminishes.

Alberta should not become a hub for exporting patients or care. The province possesses the necessary clinicians and infrastructure to deliver high-quality healthcare locally. Other countries are already establishing industries to attract Canadian patients, highlighting an urgent need for Alberta to retain its own patients and fortify its healthcare system.

The policy under consideration is not a call for a new system but rather an effort to introduce structure and oversight to care that is already occurring outside provincial scrutiny. A regulated model that permits surgeons to remain in the public system while providing private services at home can help reduce patient outflow, increase capacity, and enhance continuity of care.

For this initiative to succeed, it is crucial to establish clear safeguards. Surgeons must maintain a meaningful commitment to public healthcare, facilities should operate transparently, equity must be prioritized, and resources should not be diverted from hospitals. Balanced dual-practice models can bolster public healthcare systems, and such frameworks have been successfully implemented in numerous countries.

When patients receive care within Alberta, follow-up treatment can be coordinated effectively. If surgeons are allowed to operate at full capacity without leaving the system, the province can retain valuable expertise. Moreover, when private facilities are regulated, overall system visibility improves.

This discussion is not merely about public versus private care; it aims to align existing realities with thoughtful regulation. The goal is to ensure that Albertans receive timely care while maintaining a robust public healthcare system. The voices of the physicians advocating for this change reflect a commitment to improving healthcare access for all Albertans.